Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band will take to the Gloria Theatre stage in Urbana at 7 p.m. on April 30 for a concert benefiting a local 9-year-old battling a rare chromosome abnormality.
Dylan Sanchez, 9, of Urbana, was diagnosed at birth with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, a disorder caused by the loss of a small piece of chromosome 22. According to Stacey Sanchez, Dylan’s mother, there are fewer than 1,300 known cases of the syndrome worldwide.
As a result of this syndrome, Sanchez said, her son has difficulty breathing, eating and walking due to severe low muscle tone. He also struggles with feeding issues, a weakened immune system, developmental delays, absent speech, cognitive impairments, severe autism, an increased tolerance to pain, accelerated growth, and difficulty regulating his body temperature.
In hopes of learning more about Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, the family wants to travel to Orlando, Florida, in July for the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation 2016 International Family Conference. Scheduled to be in attendance are geneticists, doctors, therapists, scientists, and other families from around the world affected by the syndrome.
Funds raised during the benefit concert will help pay for the family to travel to the conference.
“This conference gives us information to help make Dylan’s life more comfortable,” Sanchez said.
While there is no admission charge to attend the benefit, which will also feature a silent auction and bake sale, donations will be accepted.
